GREAT PRETENDER

10

DEAL

—

AFTER the deal, walang oras na hindi ko inisip si Mr.Denson. I was fascinated by him, nakakapagtaka ang kanyang pagkatao. He was so full of mysterious, ngunit pina-imbistigahan ko na siya. At walang ibang anomalya kundi puro katangian ng isang magaling at mahusay na negosyante lamang ang nakuha sa kanya. However the doubt was still inevitable, lalo na nung huli naming pag-uusap at noong hinalikan niya ang aking kamay. The sensation i felt when he touched and kissed my hands was absolutely the same as how the man kissed and touched me in my dreams. And his voice, i must be wrong but he has a lot of similarities with Deleon. Sht.

Hindi ako makapag-focus sa aking ginagawa dahil sa mga isiping hindi naman nakakabuti sa akin. The thoughts of it made me sick.

Kaya imbis na abalahin ang sarili sa mga walang kwentang bagay ay inasikaso ko na lamang ang ibang mga papeles na pipirmahan para sa Deal namin ni Mr. Denson, i check one by one about his Offer's and i am so amazed and astounded.

Lahat ng kanyang offer para sa aking negosyo talaga namang nakakamangha. Heto na ang hinihintay ko to recover permanently of my Late parents company. Talaga naman nagsusumigaw ang pribilehiyo sa Mr. Denson na ito. The contract i sign says, i can expand my businesses using his name to all different places such as New york, Belgium, France, Etc. My mouth parted in disbelief he's not just a Great businessman yet he was a very rich man. Hindi basta basta itong Mr. Denson na to. My heart pounded as i thought how Wealthy he is. Kinakabahan man ngunit kailangan kong pirmahan lahat to upang mabawi ko na na'ng tuloyan ang aming kompanya.

—

Matapos ang ilang minutong pagsa-sign ay biglang pumasok ang aking butihing secretary.

“Madame, Sir arthur wants to see you,” Tanya.

“Let him in tanya, thanks.” I said.

Arthur has been calling her since she got sick, he was checking and reminding her as if he is my father or what. Masaya ako at nakatagpo ako ng kaibigan na katulad niya. Even though he has a feelings for me and reject him that easy yet he stays. No matter how rude I was before when he was just starting to court me, ay never kong nakitaan ng pagbabago si Arthur. Nakakasayang nga at hindi ko magawang ibigay ang hinihingi niya e. Kahit pa sabihing nandito na kay Arthur lahat. Ewan ba, bakit hindi maturoan ang puso. Tsk.

“Hey, sweetheart i miss you, i was so worried about you. Why didn't you answer all my calls,” He asked amidst what I'm thinking. Hindi ko alam na nakapasok na pala ito sa aking opisina. At nang napatingin ako sa gawi niya ay kitang kita ko ang mukha niyang puyos sa pag-aalala. Art is a pure Australian, so when you first look at him you will be amazed how handsome he is. His broad shoulder, define jawline, blue eyes, and his pointed nose that was so perfect was definitely a thing that mattered to him. Bukod sa kanyang mabuting puso ay si arthur ang bukod tanging lalakeng nakilala kong maawin, marespito, at mapagbigay. But since everyone has a destiny, I know someday that he will find he's true and great love.

“Hey, are you okay,” He added. I nodded and smile at him. Telling him im okay.

“Of course i am, oh by the way what brought you here,” I asked innocently, kahit pa alam ko na kung bakit siya pumunta rito. His forehead wrinkled while staring at me intently. Napataas naman ang isa kong kilay dahil sa reaksyon niya. Alam kong hindi siya kumbinsido dahil tulala ako ng madatnan niya. He heaved a deep sigh and say.

"Are you sure?"

"Arthur, relax okay? Look, im better and fine. Sit down and don't stress yourself thinking if im okay or nah,” I convinced him using my calm voice. Actually i don't like someone interfere with my life, but arthur is different. He cannot just sit and keep his mouth shut. So annoying, pero kahit ganito hinahayaan ko na lamang siya. Siya lang naman kase ang tanging kaibigan ko na medyo ka close ko rin kahit na makulit.

"Okay, can we at least go out and have some dinner tonight? Uhm, it's just that. My mom wanted me to go home and bring someone. If ever i don't like the idea of setting me into a Marriage contract. I should bring my girl for them to know that i already committed to someone. Max, please? We just need to act and pretend as if we're in Good terms such as Lover's ya know," He uttered, while pleading obviously on his hoarse voice. My forehead creased, like what? Magpapanggap kaming magkasintahan? Sa harap ng mga magulang niya? Damn. Of course i can't.

"But art, i can't. It's not that easy,!" I contradict him.

He seems bothered and troubled of what i said.

"Please max, i just need you. My life will put to an end if ever my parents would settle a fvking marriage to someone i don't love, damn" He stated. Eyeing me weakly.

I just gasped because of the dilemma he's been facing right now. In the end, i ended up agreeing with him.

"Oh damn, thank you sweetheart," He murmured and suddenly hug me. Nabigla naman ako sa kanyang ginawa ngunit hinayaan ko na lang din siya.

"I-im sorry, im just overwhelmed,"

"It's fine, besides your a good friend of mine," I said.

-

After an hour of talking and having some fun with arthur, we decided to go out for a lunch. Sadyang masayahin, mapagbiro ang tulad ni art na siguradong taliwas naman sa pag-uugali ko. Me was far from being jolly and funny. Sobrang layo na sabi ng iba ay tatandang dalaga ako dahil sa palaging nakasimangot o kaya naman naka angry face. Natotohan ko rin naman ang maki-salamuha dito sa iba ngunit hindi naman sobrang active. Nandito pa rin ang Maxine na mukhang walang pakialam sa mundo. Yea, totoo yan. Mas inuuna ko kase ang mga importanteng bagay kaysa makipag-halubilo at mag enjoy. Nevertheless, i still enjoyed myself being alone. It was my hideout for how many years. Being alone is not for lonely people, sometimes it is your comfort and rest. Masaya naman ako kahit pa mag-isa lang. Minsan dinadalaw naman ako ng kaibigan kong si Lexie, recently she visited me. And to my surprise she brought lolo and nanay with her, para daw sumaya ako. And yes she succeeded. Although lexie was a little bit annoying, i'd still missed her every time.

-

"Hmm, seems my companion was not around," Art murmured hindi ko alam na kanina pa pala ito nagsasalita.

"I apologize, im just thinking someone," Saad ko na nagpakunot sa noo niya. Para siyang naguguluhan na ewan.

"Sounds new huh, Maxine the cold one was thinking to someone,?" He said teasingly. So i rolled my eyes at him, he then chortled a little.

"It's not what you think okay? Im thinking about my bestie lexie, nothing else." Ngunit noong sabihin kong wala ng iba ay biglang nag iba ang aking pakiramdam. I remember the Man in my freaking dreams, at si Mr. Denson, these two confuses my mind.

"Oh, okay. Wait, before you forgot we have a dinner tonight at my parents place. Just be ready at 6 i'll fetch you before 7 okay?" Aniya.

"Okay, but what should i wear?" I asked.

"Anything, besides everything in you was beyond perfect," He mumbled.

"hmm, bolero," His forehead crumpled. Nakalimutan ko nga pala na afam itong kausap ko. Sht. Napangisi tuloy ko ako sa kadahilanang hindi niya ako maintindihan. Mas nalukot naman ang kanyang mukha dahil sa aking tawa. He maybe thinks im such a fool.

-

MATAPOS ang aming lunch ni Arthur ay napagpasyahan kong bisitahin ang aming boutique rito sa isang sikat na Mall dito sa Australia. Maganda din ang kita rito dahil iba ang quality ng aming mga product. Made of philippines lahat dahil mas maganda na nanggaling sa iyong bansa ang kalidad ng mga produkto mo. Upang i indorso na rin mismo na ang Pilipinas ay maraming magagandang produkto. Mas maganda kase na kilalanin natin ang ating sariling kultura kesa sa iba. Most of the people kase ay mas gusto pang bilhin ang mga Branded na galing sa ibang bansa kesa gamitin mismo ang ating sariling gawa. Parang ang unfair naman ata diba? We filipino must value our own product and our own work. We should be proud of being a Filipino. Although i am half but i really value the blood that comes from a filipino.

Pumasok ako sa aking maliit na office to check something, at agad naman umaliwalas ang aking mukha ng makitang maganda din ang ratings dito sa Boutique, mas dumoble ang kita kesa noong nakaraang buwan. Senyales na maganda talaga ang takbo ng mga negosyo dito. I felt overwhelmed the whole time until some of my employee suddenly call.

"Maam, there's a costumer here that complaining, she badly wants to talk to you," My forehead creased. Dinig ko pa ang boses ng babae na parang naghe-hysterical. Ngayon lang to nangyari na merong costumer na nagrereklamo ah.

"Okay, tell her come down im going," I said nagtataka man ay lumabas na ako ng opisina.

Habang papalapit sa isang babaeng mukhang my matinding problema dahil sa boses pa lang nito na halatang pinay din ay parang napakalaki ng kasalanan ng mga staff ko at nakuha nitong sigaw sigawan na lang basta basta. Ang mga sales lady dito ay pawang mga pinay din. Hanggang sa makalapit na ako ay hindi pa rin ito tumitigil sa kakadaldal. Ang isa kong staff naman ay halos mamugto na ang mata dahil sa iyak at patuloy na humihingi ng pasensya ngunit mukhang bingi at hindi matanggap ng babae ang hinging paumanhin kung kaya sige parin ito sa pambubulyaw. Agad namang nagsiyukuan ang aking mga empleyado ng makita akong paparating. And then tumigil ako sa likuran ng babae. Akmang sasampalin nito ang aking staff ng bigla kong pigilan ang kamay nito. I grab her wrist and then put it down with full force. Everyone takes a gasp because of what i did. The b***h shocked. I remember this woman, she ordered lots of shirts from us. She seems unbothered the way she eyed me. I blocked the way, pumagitna ako between her and my staff. Her brow rose when she saw me. I darted my eyes at her showing no emotions.

"Excuse me? Who the hell are you?" She asked stupidly. I just smirked.

"I am the owner," I answered.

"Oh well, you looked like one of the employee," She said while looking at me head to toe, she seems insult. A staff huh! Really? Look who's talking. My mind shouted. My staff's mouth parted in disbelief. Ngayon lang kase nila nakitang my nang-insulto sa akin. No one dares pa kase kaya gulat silang napatingin sakin. Napangisi naman ako dahil di ako apektado. Mukhang heto pa ang napahiya nang ngumisi. She ate her own insult.

"Uhm by the way, i wanted your staff to pay for all the wrong sizes she'd given me last week," She commanded while rolling her eyeballs. Sana naman di na bumalik pa. Ani ng aking isip.

"No maam, those are ordered from us through online. And we clearly discussed the available sizes we have but then your staff said its okay. So i don't think it's our responsible, and besides my staff just did her work properly, so if you want something or complain something you can ask and talk to me directly. And also maam, you can just talk with my staff without hurting her." I stated while looking at her intently. Her face got flushed.

"What the kind of owner you are, you tolerate your staff for being a stupid one. You should punish them for being uneducated and to have no manner as well, oh wait, i wont be surprise if your staff has no manner because you yourself who own it have no one." She said frantically.

"Excuse me maam, what i said earlier is done. I don't need myself to repeat it. So if you can't still understand suit yourself." I muttered and then turn my back. She seems embarrassed. Maglalakad na sana ako ng bigla nitong hawakan ang aking kamay. She tightly hold it, i wasn't hurt but i am holding my temper not to burst myself in irritating.

"Don't you dare turn your back on me, bitch." Singhal nito, agad ko naman hinawi ng marahas ang aking kamay. She gave me a dagger look like, natawa naman ako sa kanyang inaasal. Ba't ba para'ng ang laki ng galit nito sakin? To the point that she called me b***h. How dare she.

Instead of hitting her i just let go. Tinitigan ko na lamang siya ng walang pakialam at nagsasayang ng oras kung kaya mas lalong nainis ito. Tumalikod ako na hindi alintana ang kanyang labis na inis at pagkapahiya. Hmm dapat lang sa kanya yun.

-

Lumipas ang ilang oras na tambay ay napagpasyahan kong umalis na nang Boutique at umuwi upang makapag-handa na sa darating na dinner namin mamaya kasama ang family ni Arthur. However i felt the nervousness inside me. Hindi dahil sa isiping magdi-dinner kami ni Arthur together with his family kundi ay ang isiping lolokohin namin ang pamilya niya. But i had to do it. I've already dealt with Art about this. And besides he just needs me for a Show.

After an hour of preparing Art suddenly call.

"Are you done sweety,?" He asked.

"Yea, almost," Sagot ko. Arthur used to call me 'sweetheart' his endearment for me. Thus i just accept it.

"Oh okay, take you're time im halfway there," Saad nito.

Ilang minuto lang naman ang nagdaan ay andito na agad si Arthur. He was so funny dahil sa kamuntikan pa siyang matumba sa labis na pagmamadali. I bid him a small laugh because of being so lazy, his mouth parted in an awe while he intently eyeing me head to toe. Agad naman napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa kanyang reaksyon. Sinuri ko naman agad ang aking suot at nakita ko naman'g walang problema kaya mas lalong nalukot ang aking noo dahil sa inaasta nito. At nang sulyapan ko naman ito ay bahagya pa ring nakaawang ang kanyang mga labi. He looks astounded and at the same time seems shocked. What the hell happened?

At dahil sa labis na pagtataka ay hindi ko na napigilang tanungin ito.

"Why? What's with that look,?" I asked midst of what his doing. At nang nakabawi naman ito ay napatawa ito ng mahina. Maiirita na sana ako ngunit agad naman siyang bumawi.

"I-im sorry,"He apologize between his chortled and sigh.

"You just look so damn, amazing, beautiful, stunning and elegant tonight, honestly I-i don't know what words could possibly describe now how perfect you are," He stated while wandering his gaze on me. My brow rose and smirked because of his statement. Parang ng gu-good time ka lang e. Ani ng isip ko.

"I was just amaze sweetheart, i just hope that this is true. Haha but nah of course we can't. We're just friend and i really valued that." He utter in full of respect, yet sounds regretful. I feel guilty knowing that he really value and respect our friendship.

"Oh Arthur, don't be sorry. You don't know how much im lucky enough to have you also as my friend. Thank you," I murmured.

At agad na kaming umalis papunta sa kanilang bahay.

-

-

AGAD akong bumaba ng kanyang Bugatti inalalayan niya naman ako at pinagbuksan. What a gentleman. At ng makalabas i mouthed him 'thank you' he just smiled and nod.

Habang papasok sa isang engranding hallway ay doon na nagsimula ang aking kaba. As i wasn't expected the whole place looks so damn beautiful. The ambiance and all the designated area was shouting in superior. My eyes wandered around and i couldn't help but feel awe. Hindi maikakaila na sobrang yaman ng angkan ni Arthur.

Napabalik sa wisyo ako ng biglang hapitin ni Arthur ang aking maliit na bewang, at dahil sa kakalibot ko ng aking tingin ay hindi ko naalala na nasa loob na pala kami ng mansyon. Embarrassment suddenly hit me. Nakakahiya naman kay Art at hindi ko man lang namalayan na nakapasok na kami sa loob dahil sa sobra akong namangha. Damn!

"Are you alright,?" He asked worriedly.

"Yea im okay, you never told me that you're indeed so wealthy, I felt shy and nervous right now, i might be embarrassed," I said.

"Come down okay? Don't worry, I'll accompany you the whole night. Just trust me, and to tell you honestly it is not our wealth okay,?" He said.

I nodded and followed him. Pumasok kami sa isang mas malawak at mas malaking hallway pa na pinagdadarausan ng mga salo salo o iba pang mga okasyon. And when we entered the grand entrance, all the people suddenly focused on our direction which is odd. I felt someone was eyeing me intently. Parang my taong nagmamasid sakin habang papasok kami sa Entrance. What the hell am i thinking.

And then everyone greeted us.